PAUL HANAGAN revelled in his second successive jockeys’ title win on Saturday. But he doesn’t know whether he will go all out to try and complete a hat-trick of championships next season.

The ECHO columnist became the first northern-based jockey to retain his title back at Doncaster on Saturday when he held off the challenge of Silvestre de Souza to take the trophy with 165 winners to 161.

The Warrington jockey is as low as 5-2 favourite with Victor Chandler and a best-priced 4-1 with Paddy Power and bet365 to secure a treble of titles next year. Ryan Moore is a 7-2 chance with William Hill, with de Souza the same price with several firms.

After last year’s battle with Richard Hughes similar to the one he has had with de Souza this time, Hanagan was also doubtful over his chances of retaining his title. And despite doing just that he had similar reservations over whether he could keep up the relentless pursuit for a third year in a row in 12 months.

The 31-year-old, who posed for pictures with five-year-old son Josh during his title celebrations, said: “It hasn’t been as hard or as pressurised this season. I felt I learned a lot last year and coped better this time around, but it’s been tough all the same.

“I’m not sure about next year. I feel at the moment like I’ve got to take a step back.

“It’s a big relief. It feels like a big weight has been lifted and it’s gone right down to the wire again.

“Last night was incredible (when de Souza had four winners on Friday to draw within striking distance), but I’ve stuck at it and kept going.

“This season seemed to come around so quick. It didn’t feel like two minutes since the last season ended and the new one began, but in a good way the balls just kept on rolling.

“It didn’t feel as hard this year and I definitely learned a lot last season.

“It’s still been tough, but last year I spent a lot of time watching Richard Hughes on TV, whereas this year I was mainly riding in the same races as Silvestre.

“He’s been riding out of his skin and deserves a lot of respect. We’ve just had a quiet moment when he came up and shook my hand.

“I’m just going to enjoy this.”

Following his four winners on Friday de Sousa could only take a share of the title but when the Brazilian finished last on True Bond – the first of his four mounts on Town Moor – in the Betfred Mobile Nursery, it became impossible for him to catch Hanagan.

Hanagan is a big Liverpool fan and was delighted to be presented with his trophy by Ian Rush at half-time during the Reds match with Wolverhampton Wanderers last season. At the moment there is no official word on whether there will be a repeat at Anfield this time around.

Hanagan was also apprentice champion in 2002 and this year’s winner was Martin Harley.

Khalid Abdullah was crowned champion owner with the likes of Frankel, Midday and Twice Over helping him to the prize while Richard Hannon was again the leading trainer.

Meanwhile Joseph O’Brien became the youngest rider to ever win a Breeders’ Cup race as he steered his father Aidan’s St Nicholas Abbey to victory in the Turf at Churchill Downs.

A clearly moved Aidan O’Brien said: “It’s very special, unbelievable. It was a wonderful ride, it’s incredible. What can I say, he’s an incredible rider.